We arrive in Driftveil. The rustic terracotta houses are beautiful, reminding me just slightly of Stoke on Side. There is a twinge of cold breeze, making me button up my jacket. The roads are perfectly straight despite being made of a brittle brick composite. Or Clay says so at least, I don’t know much about architecture myself. I’m more of a lore scientist and not a geologist.

“O’er there is the market place, ther’ be the housing district, ther’ be the-” I’m falling asleep a little bit. This isn’t the most thrilling conversation in my life but if the man wants to talk, I’ll talk.

“This is all so interesting, sir! Such a rich history!”

“Ain’t it just! I like you, kid.” I’ve never been more envious of my Pokémon’s spherical homes.

***

After another hour or so of monotonous touring, we arrive at a large staggering building adorned with emerald accents. I never want to see a shade of orange ever again.

“Is this the town hall then?”

“I s’pose y’all can call it that.” Clay dismisses his employees with a swift wave of his hand. They bow and wander off to the park west of the building. “Let’s go inside.”

I feel like this whole ordeal is going to be kind of boring and strenuous…

“Do you mind if my Pokémon play out here for a while?”

“Sure thing. Can’t be too long but I getcha.” I release them all from their Poké Balls.

“You guys can come back in a few hours, we’re gonna be busy so why don’t you get to know Drayn a little more?” I point them to the park that the workers began to rest in.

***

“So uh...what do you like to do?” Someone had to try, it’s been a half hour already and the sap hasn’t said anything.

“Finn, how come you didn’t sense him following us?”

“I’m gonna be honest, I kinda forgot about him.” You can’t just say that in front of him!?

“Well I’m just happy you’re here, Drayn! You’re gonna do great! You’re gonna be such a helpful friend for Alec, I’m sure of it!” Elle I hope you know you’re too good for this world. The Yamask speaks up.

“I...I’m sorry…” Ruff approaches him.

“What’re you apologising’ for?”

“I...needed to...be with him…” We all stare at each other, wondering what he even means. Silence.

“I mean I kinda get it, y’know? Like I knew I wanted to come with Alec because my girl Orla was there.”

“I don’t think that’s the same thing, Elle.”

“Terran’s right, right?” I don’t know how to feel right now.

“Nuh-uh. You guys weren’t even there! Except Ruff but, you were busy saving other guys with those rowdy rocks.”

“One of them was a Flying' type though…”

“The way he was flying those Cottonee out of the forest would’ve fooled me otherwise.” Listen I never had a strong opinion of Quinn and Cola, we all know that. It gets Drayn laughing a little at least. Ruff attempts conversation again.

“So, Drayn. Whaddya like to do?”

“What do I...like?” Elle steps in, charismatic as usual.

“Yeah! Like I dance, Orla acts like a boss, Terran’s chill, Finn’s all legendary-” they interrupt her.

“Mythical.”

“-and stuff!”

“Whaddabout me?” Oh sweet Ruffly child.

“You’re...cute!” Ouch.

“That it?” Ouch.

“Yep!” Ouch!? Has evolving given her some sass on that ego now?

“Uh-huh…” He sulks in the corner of the park. He wasn’t offended was he?

“Elle I think it’s probably best to apologise to him.”

“What makes you say that, girl?” Just doesn’t sit right just calling him cute when she obviously has taken the time to think about the rest of us, kind of.

“I’ll….talk to him….”

“Drayn? Are you sure?” Finn approaches him cautiously.

“Yes...I feel...I have a knack….for making young ones feel better…” Whatever you say grandpa.

“I’ll come with you, I’ve known him the longest.” The rest of the team nod in agreement, with Elle blissfully entertaining the rest we make our way over to a sulky Ruff.

“You...are you...neglected?” Goin’ right for the kisser, huh.

“Huh? I suppose you’d know somethin’ like that, Drayn. Yeah a little.” He lays in the grass.

“I dunno, I just feel like there’s more I could be doin’ for Alec, y’know? If all I am is the cute guy then what’s the point. He wants to meet this big bad Dragon Pokémon and what’s little ol’ Ruff to do?”

“What’s going on, Ruff? You’ve never been self-conscious like this before and suddenly when Elle mentions something it’s got you all down.” I give him one of my shells to play with, smiling as he takes it.

“Well, y’know we’ve met a lot of guys and girls on this ride. They all do a lot for what’s around them. I just don’t really got that like the rest of ‘em. Remember Percy and Brant? They’re workin’ Pokemon now! Quinn and Cola were a little annoying’ for sure but they’ve got their place now too in the big bad forest...even Mars is dancin’ and prancin’. I should’ve stayed at the forest too…” I slap him out of reflex.

“I’m not having one of my team members putting themselves down like this.” Not Ruff especially.

“Hit me all y’want, Orla. You’ve even gotten closer to Elle through everything. We aren’t as close as we used to be either, y’know.”

“May I...interject…” Drayn takes my shells in his grasps. “You two have….seen a lot together. With the boy as well...I can see he loves you both very much...but you, Herdier. You seem to want more....and that’s okay.” He raises my shells. “In this existence we meet very few people...we make bonds that only we can make in the moments we live in...but those bonds can loosen over time, friend…” He returns my shells to my sides. “You’ve seen friends drift away who thought would never...so your mind has begun turning...you want more…”

“What’s your point, Drayn?”

“My point…? Herdier. Ruff...perhaps you should part ways with the boy if you feel this discomfort.” What? No. He can’t be serious? I look to Ruff and in shock, he’s smiling.

“Maybe he’s right, Orla. Remember what that N guy said about what Pokémon want. All I’ve been doing is thinking about what Alec wants, how I can help him. But what if I want something else. Makes ya think. I was the runt of my litter and now look! I’m a strong big Herdier!” What’re you saying… “I know you’d miss me a lot, and I’d miss you too...but I think I should think about myself a little more. Be less selfless. All I’ve done is support and not a lot of that has been myself.” I’m...I’m…

“Excuse me, is everything okay over here?” a large, rosey pink Pokémon approaches the three of us. He seems to be quite confident in himself coming over and interrupting a conversation like this!

“You...are…?”

“Audino’s the name. I saw this little lady over here crying and wondered if something bad had happened.” Examining my white knight further, he does look quite dapper with that oddly shaped birthmark stroked down his chest.

“No...no...just friends saying...goodbye…” Ruff barked at this.

“Hold up! I didn’t say anything’ about leaving’ just yet!”

“Look I dunno what’s going on here, but if you guys are going to fight can you do it in a way that doesn’t result in her crying? It’s a little unsightly and I’m trying to get some work done in here.” Right, yeah. No crying, Orla. No crying.

“Sorry about that. What’re you working on, Audino?” Asking this, he presents the rock behind him. It’s bashed up.

“I’m trying to learn a move called Return, but it just keeps ending up as a usual Tackle.”

“Yikes, why though?”

“I wanna be strong enough to take down that terrorist group, Team Plasma. They took a bunch of my friends from that cold part of town and I gotta get ‘em back by learning a big bad hit like Return! But I can’t seem to get it right…” Ruff and I share a glance.

“Idea?” He gives me a sorrowful, yet determined look.

“Idea.”

***

Finally, after what feels like five hours, we leave Clay’s place. He gave me another pity Gym Badge too. This one looks kind of cool at least, getting a collection together like this is actually a little satisfying, reminds me of a childhood I didn’t get to have. I smile, proud.

“I hope that cheque'll suffice, Alec.”

“Oh this is more than enough, sir! Thank you for your cooperation!”

“Nonsense! I love hearin’ all ‘bout the Legends. Around here we’re less about Dragons and more about respectin’ the Forces of Nature, right?” I’ll have to look into them myself sometime.

We find my research team in a park just west of the Gym. I spot something a little peculiar though.

“Who’s this friend you’ve all made?” an Audino is certainly an uncommon appearance. Orla points at an overly worn stone, Ruff and the Audino continuously bash themselves against it. “Hey, you guys can stop that! Is this what you’ve been doing this entire time!?” The rest of the team is cheering for them.

“Son, this Audino...yeah I know it.”

“What’s the tragic backstory here, then?” Clay throws his stetson at me.

“You respec’ this her’ Audino! Little feller was in the incident a couple weeks ago. Team Plasma came into my place o’ work and took away all his friends. Cold Storage’s been closed for reassurance since.” Oh. Yeah that’s bad. It looks really determined. Once it stops hitting the rock, I approach it.

“So, you don’t like some bad people and want to get your friends back? Is that it?” It nods, full of vigor. I wonder if Finn used their Victory Star on him?

“I’d love to bring you along to help you but…” hearing this, Ruff and Orla bite at my jeans.

“G...Grrrff.” Hm? What’s up boy. Orla takes out her blackboard and starts sprawling on it.

“Oh? Are you gonna write more names down?” When she’s done, she hits me with her shell and hands me the notebook.

It’s actually legible and...what’s written on it hurts.

‘Alec,

Ruff decided 2 stay her

Has traind Audno and told him bout Rshrm.

Ruff say thanx

Orla’